100 years ago

THE question of what to do about Skipton's cattle market arose once more like the hardy annual it was. The Herald reported how medical officer Dr FE Atkinson had been advocating its removal from the streets in his report to the Local Board of Health - something he had wanted for the last 20 years. He argued the fortnightly cattle market was not suitable for main thoroughfares and he suggested the construction of a properly enclosed and drained market with a non-absorbent floor, which could be swept and cleaned at intervals. He said it should be near the railway for the convenient transport of cattle.

Around 300 football fans made the journey on a special train to Wakefield to support Skipton Football Club, who were once more trying to beat Castleford in the Yorkshire Challenge Cup. On the previous Saturday the two sides had met at Harrogate, with each team scoring six points so the match had to be replayed. However, controversy surrounded the re-match as the Castleford team played JT Taylor, the well-known international three-quarter of West Hartlepool, who on the previous Saturday had figured in the Durham Cup Final. Although a native of Castleford, the Skipton supporters said he had not played with his local team that season. Unfortunately the Skipton supporters returned home disappointed after their team lost.

50 years ago

THE Herald congratulated Skipton Building Society on its centenary. It said the inspiration behind the society's formation was George Kendall, a prominent local businessman who directed its activities and influenced its affairs in its infancy. The society's inaugural meeting was held at the town hall on May 1 1853 and its first permanent premises were in Providence Place.

Skipton Urban Council workmen discovered a surprising haul while working on a sewer connection. The discovery comprised 10 shillings in three-penny bits, pennies, half pennies and farthings, hundreds of knives, forks and spoons, fountain pens, mouth organs, dozens of cheap rings and even a pair of false teeth. It was believed the items had been lost through street grates.

A Skipton couple who noticed a gas leak in their kitchen called in the gas meter inspector. After inspecting the meter he decided a new one was needed and told the couple the reason for the replacement was "old age". "And you cannot blame it," he added. "It was installed in 1901."

25 years ago

A DEBATE over whether to allow market traders to sell their wares on a Sunday raged in Skipton. Skipton Town Council sent a letter to Craven District Council deploring its decision not to grant Sunday trading orders in view of the support forthcoming from tradesmen. They agreed to ask the district council to convene a meeting with Skipton Chamber of Trade, the High Street frontagers and the town council.

A complete shutdown of Silentnight's Moss Shed factory in Barnoldswick looked likely unless a strike by more than 60 transport drivers could be brought to an end. The dispute was over the "spy in the cab" use of tachographs, which showed the speed and length of travel.

Skipton caving cameraman Sid Perou set off to spend six months in Iran to make five films for Iranian television. Himalayan climber and caver Mischa Saleki asked him to take part in the project to explore Iran's underground. During the hectic work schedule it was hoped they would visit the deepest pothole in Asia, the Ghar Parau, discovered by an English expedition in 1971 which reached 751 metres deep.

10 years ago

THE Herald reported how a young Settle duo were to swap jobs after arguing about who had the hardest vocation. Twenty-one-year-old Kirsten Lishman, a Craven College student challenged 26-year-old Bryan McGeoch to write one of her long essays. Mr McGeoch's pride got the better of him and he agreed - on condition that she did his job for a day. He worked for Settle Coal Company and his job included carrying and delivering coal, moving skips and working up to 60 hours a week.

A hit squad was called in to deal with the pigeon problem in Skipton town centre. Councillors were slightly cautious, however, with the memory of an exterminator drafted in 12 months previously still fresh in their minds. On that occasion pigeons had started to destroy town centre flowerbeds and so the exterminators spiked bird feed with poison. However, the town council found itself in residents' bad books when pigeons started to plummet to the ground!

Work began on the £350,000 sports hall at Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton despite fundraisers being 10 per cent short of their appeal target.